Note 1 - Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	1 – Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Rush Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All adjustments have been made to the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary for a fair presentation of its operating results. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. It is recommended that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year. Stock Split On September 15, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 3-for-2 stock split of the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock, to be effected in the form of a stock dividend. On October 12, 2020, the Company distributed one additional share of stock for every two shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by shareholders of record as of September 28, 2020. All share and per share data in this Form 10-Q have been adjusted and restated to reflect the stock split as if it occurred on the first day of the earliest period presented. COVID-19 Risks and Uncertainties In March 2020, the World Health Organization made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The Company’s nationwide network of commercial vehicle dealerships are classified as “essential businesses” and have remained operational across the Company’s dealership network. While the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, business conditions have improved significantly since the second quarter of 2020. The Company is unable to predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its future business and operating results due to numerous uncertainties, including the duration and severity of the outbreak. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. The guidance in these standards applies to contract accounting, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met and provides optional expedients and exceptions for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. LIBOR benchmarking is utilized in the Company’s working capital and floorplan facilities. The Company is in the process of completing its evaluation of the impact, if any, that the adoption of this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 1 - Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

1 – Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Rush Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All adjustments have been made to the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary for a fair presentation of its operating results. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. It is recommended that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year.

Stock Split

On September 15, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 3-for-2 stock split of the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock, to be effected in the form of a stock dividend. On October 12, 2020, the Company distributed one additional share of stock for every two shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by shareholders of record as of September 28, 2020. All share and per share data in this Form 10-Q have been adjusted and restated to reflect the stock split as if it occurred on the first day of the earliest period presented.

COVID-19 Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The Company’s nationwide network of commercial vehicle dealerships are classified as “essential businesses” and have remained operational across the Company’s dealership network. While the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, business conditions have improved significantly since the second quarter of 2020. The Company is unable to predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its future business and operating results due to numerous uncertainties, including the duration and severity of the outbreak.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. The guidance in these standards applies to contract accounting, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met and provides optional expedients and exceptions for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. LIBOR benchmarking is utilized in the Company’s working capital and floorplan facilities. The Company is in the process of completing its evaluation of the impact, if any, that the adoption of this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.